Assembly passes Adam’s Law to curb addictive social‑media design for minors

The Assembly voted to concur in Senate amendments to AB 17‑09 on Aug. 17, approving new limits on social‑media design aimed at reducing harms to children.

Supporters said the bill—often referred to on the floor as "Adam’s Law"—does not ban access but requires platforms to disable features the bill describes as addictive for accounts belonging to people under 16. Assemblymember Wicks, a joint author in committee hearings, said the measure forces design changes “so that our kids do not develop an emotional relationship with the chatbots” and that “our children's safety is non negotiable.” Proponents pointed to research and testimony from families and experts about youth exposure to manipulative algorithms and mental‑health harms.

Opponents and some cautious supporters asked for implementation safeguards, stressing the need to preserve access to online support and resources for vulnerable groups. Several members representing LGBTQ youth urged robust oversight to ensure that safe, identity‑affirming online spaces remain available to teens who rely on them.

The bill requires platforms to perform risk assessments, limit certain features for covered accounts, and provide audit evidence to state authorities; it also contemplates an enforcement role for the attorney general and designated oversight bodies. After extended debate the Assembly recorded a roll‑call concurrence in the Senate amendments (Ayes 74, No 0). The bill now moves to the governor for consideration.

Supporters said the measure aims to strike a balance between preserving beneficial online tools and curbing features that research and testimony tied to the platform design stack have linked to harm. Implementation questions remain about age‑verification methods, the operation of oversight audits, and how exemptions for specific therapeutic or educational services will be handled.